NEW DELHI: India’s sugar output is likely to fall five percent to 27 million tonnes in the upcoming 2015-16 crop season due to poor monsoon rains in states such as Maharashtra, an industry body said on Monday, which could prop up prices amid a global glut.

India’s sugar stocks, however, are likely to rise to 9.6 million tonnes at the start of the season on October 1, from 7.5 million last year, as per Indian Sugar Mills Association.

After a string of bumper harvests, drought could cut supply in the marketing year starting in October.